CN100391397C - Floor Utensils - Google Patents

Abstract

A floor tool (200) for use in vacuum cleaning floor surfaces comprises a sole plate (250) for engaging with a floor surface, a supporting body (210) for the sole plate (250) having means for allowing the body to ride along the floor surface (221) and an outlet conduit (240) for coupling to a wand of a vacuum cleaner. The outlet conduit (240) is mounted to the support platform by a connecting arm (230), a first end of the connecting arm being pivotally connected (231) to the outlet conduit about a first axis and the second end of the connecting arm being pivotally connected (232) to the supporting body about a second axis. The first and second axes are substantially parallel to one another. Fluid flow from the sole plate (250) can be carried by a flexible hose (235) or by the connecting arm (230) itself.

Description

Floor Utensils

technical field

The present invention relates to floor appliances for use with vacuum cleaners.

Background technique

As shown in Figure 1, a cylinder or canister vacuum cleaner typically includes a body 10 which houses a separating device 11, such as a cyclone or bag, for separating dirt and dust from an incoming dirty air stream. The dirty air flows into the fuselage 10 through a hose 15 and rod 16 combination connected to the fuselage 10 . As the user moves around the room, the hose pulls the cleaner body 10 along the room. A cleaning implement is attached to the distal end of the hose and wand combination. Typically various cleaning implements are provided, such as crevice implements and brush implements, so that users can choose the appropriate implement for their cleaning task, and for general floor cleaning, the vacuum cleaner is equipped with a floor implement 20 .

Figure 2 shows a floor appliance of the known type manufactured and sold by Dyson Limited. Floor appliance 20 includes a bottom surface 150, commonly referred to as a floor, that engages a floor surface. The bottom plate 150 defines suction channels, which face the floor surface, in use to expose the floor surface to a suction force sufficient to carry dirt and debris from the surface. The appliance 20 also includes outlet connectors 101 , 102 adapted to the rod 16 ( FIG. 1 ) and a short connecting tube 120 for delivering airflow from the base plate 150 to the outlet connectors 101 , 102 . One end of the connecting tube 120 is pivotally mounted to the base plate about the axis 105 and the other end of the connecting tube is pivotally mounted to the outlet connector 101 about the axis 115 . The connecting pipe 120 has a pair of floor engaging wheels 90 mounted thereto. In use, this structure converts the user's push and pull on the rod into sliding movement of the base plate 150 over the floor surface. However, it has been found that certain ways in which a user operates the lever may cause the bottom plate 150 of the appliance 20 to come off the floor surface. This can have a detrimental effect on the pickup performance of the floor appliance 20 .

Contents of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention seeks to provide improved flooring appliances.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a floor appliance for use in vacuum cleaning floor surfaces comprising a base plate engaged with the floor surface, a base plate carrier, an air outlet tube connected to a vacuum cleaner wand, and a connecting arm, the base plate carrier having a In a surface-traveling device, the connecting arm connects the outlet pipe to the carrier body, the first end of the connecting arm is pivotally connected to the outlet pipe about a first pivot, and the second end of the connecting arm is pivotally connected to the outlet pipe about a second pivot. The carrier body, the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis are generally parallel to each other, and the connecting arm is pivotable between a lowered position and a raised position.

The advantage of this solution is that the floor appliance is not easy to leave the floor surface when the user operates the appliance. We have found that improved contact with the floor surface can improve the pick-up performance of the appliance.

Preferably, the base plate is pivotally mounted to the carrier body, more preferably the base plate is pivotally mounted to the carrier body at a location above the base plate suction channel. The pivotal mounting of the base plate causes the appliance to pivot forward or backward when in use. This can be used to bring the working edge of the soleplate into contact with the floor surface in order to agitate the floor surface. In these configurations, preferably, the base plate is pivotally mounted to the carrier body, and the connecting arm is pivotally mounted to the carrier body at a location substantially coincident with the base plate pivot.

The connecting arm may include a rigid member that provides a mechanical connection between the air outlet tube and the carrier, and the floor appliance may include a hose for delivering fluid flow between the floor air outlet and the air outlet tube. Alternatively, the connecting arm itself may convey fluid flow between the base plate air outlet and the air outlet duct.

Preferably, the floor tool further comprises a skirt for travel along the floor surface during cleaning of hard floors, wherein the base plate is movable between an operating position in which the base plate is lower than the skirt and a storage position in which the base plate is higher at the skirt.

Preferably, the carrier body of the floor appliance has channels for receiving the connecting arms. The connecting arm may be dimensioned so that the pivotal connection between the first end of the connecting arm and the outlet tube is located within the channel on the carrier when the connecting arm is positioned next to the carrier. For compactness, wheels or rollers can be mounted on each side of the channel.

Preferably, the floor appliance further includes a braking device for limiting movement of the connecting arm in a direction away from the chassis. Where the support body of the floor appliance has a channel for receiving the connecting arm, the braking device can act between the connecting arm and at least one side of the channel.

The floor appliance can be used with cylinder, upright and other types of vacuum cleaners.

Description of drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a known vacuum cleaner and floor appliance according to the prior art;

Figure 2 shows the floor appliance of Figure 1 in more detail;

Figure 3 shows in schematic form a floor appliance according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention in schematic form;

Fig. 5 represents the embodiment of Fig. 4 in more detail;

Figure 6 shows the appliance of Figure 5 from the rear;

Figure 7 is a sectional view through the floor appliance shown in Figures 5 and 6 with the base plate in a lowered position;

Figure 8 shows the underside of the floor appliance of Figures 5-7;

Figures 9 and 10 are again cross-sectional views through the floor appliance of Figures 5-8 in an alternate configuration;

Figures 11 and 12 represent the action of the bottom plate in schematic form;

Figure 13 shows the forces on a conventional floor appliance;

Figure 14 represents the forces on a floor appliance where the push/pull force is applied close to the base plate;

Figure 15 shows in detail the passage of debris into the floor appliance during the hard floor mode of cleaning operation;

Figure 16 shows a pressure diagram within a floor appliance of the type shown in Figure 15;

Figures 17A and 17B show the effect of using a floor appliance on a cracked floor surface;

Figures 18-20 illustrate a floor appliance improvement that allows the user to control the airflow into the floor appliance.

Detailed ways

Fig. 3 shows in schematic form a floor set part according to a first embodiment of the invention. The main components of the appliance 200 are the main chassis 210, the bottom plate 250, the rod connector 240, the connecting arm 230 which connects to the rod or hose of the vacuum cleaner, and the connecting arm 230 which connects the chassis 210 to the rod connection. Connector 240 , hose 235 delivers airflow from base plate 250 to rod connector 240 . The base plate defines an air inlet 255 which, in use, faces the floor and extends laterally across the full width of the appliance. The chassis 210 is provided with wheels 221 enabling it to be moved on the floor surface. The rod connector 240 is sized to fit snugly with the rod (ie: tube or set of telescoping tubes) of the vacuum cleaner. The lever connector 240 is connected to the chassis 210 through the connecting arm 230 . A first end of connecting arm 230 is pivotally connected to rod connector 240 by joint 231 . The other end of the connecting arm 230 is pivotally connected to the chassis 210 by a joint 232 . Connecting arm 230 provides a mechanical connection between rod connector 240 and chassis 210 , so it serves to transmit force applied to the rod by a user to chassis 210 . The connecting arm 230 may be formed as an airflow conduit for delivering airflow from the base plate 250 to the rod connector 240 . Here, joints 231, 232 are pivotal, air-tight joints that maintain an air-tight seal between connecting arm conduit 230, base plate 250 outlet and rod connector 240 inlet as these components move relative to each other. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3 , the airflow between the base plate 250 and the rod connector 240 may be delivered through a hose 235 separate from the connecting arm 230 . Using a hose to deliver the air flow allows for a more reliable seal between the rod connector 240 and the connecting arm 230, which will remain airtight within the range of relative positions of the two components. Therefore, this solution is cheaper and more reliable.

A pivotable joint 231 , 232 is provided on each end of the connecting arm 230 allowing the rod connector 240 and the rod or hose mounted to the rod connector 240 to move relative to the chassis 210 over a wide range of operating positions. Furthermore, the chassis 210 and base plate 250 remain in a stable position throughout the range of operating positions.

Preferably, the bottom plate 250 is pivotally connected to the chassis 210 with respect to the chassis 210 , and the pivot axis of the bottom plate 250 coincides with the pivot axis 232 of the connecting arm 230 . Also preferably, the base plate is pivotally connected to a position directly above the center of the suction channel 255 . The connection between base plate 250 and chassis 210 provides a limited amount of movement between these components. This limited amount of movement is achieved by mounting brakes on the chassis 210 within each allowable range of the floor path.

For floor appliances, it is generally possible to operate in a carpet cleaning mode, where the soleplate advances along the floor surface, and a hard floor cleaning mode, where a soft skirt of some kind is in contact with the floor surface and the soleplate is in contact with the hard floor surface. The surface is separated. The utensil shown in Figure 3 is provided with a skirt 270 (shown in dashed lines) which surrounds the base plate 250 and which can be moved from the raised position shown in Figure 3 to a lowered position in which it is located under the base plate 250 .

An alternative to moving the skirt 270 is to raise or lower the floor 250 itself while keeping the skirt 270 stationary. The appliance shown in detail in Figures 5-10 has such a movable base plate 250 . Before describing the appliance in detail, Figure 4 illustrates the main components of the appliance. Many components are the same as the appliance just described with reference to FIG. 3 . The difference lies in the mechanical structure connecting the connecting arm 230 to the chassis 210 . In Fig. 3 the connecting arm 230 pivots directly with respect to the chassis 210, whereas in Fig. 4 the connecting arm 230 is connected to the chassis 210 by two intermediate arms 234a, 234b. In carpet floor mode, the base plate 250 is engaged with the floor surface. The base plate 250 is free to pivot directly with respect to the connecting arm 230 . In the hard floor cleaning mode, the soleplate is raised and pivoted into the cavity within the chassis 210 . It should be understood that the two intermediate arms 234a, 234b simply connect the connecting arm 230 to the chassis 210 in a manner that allows the bottom plate 250 to be lowered or raised. In the configuration shown in Figure 4, the two intermediate arms 234a, 234b are locked in place against movement. Similarly, in configurations where the floor is raised, the intermediate arm is in a different position. In both configurations, the connecting arm 230 effectively pivots with respect to the chassis 210 .

Reference is now made to Figures 5-10, which illustrate in detail a preferred embodiment of the floor appliance. As mentioned above, the main components of the appliance 200 are the main chassis 210, the base plate 250, the rod connector 240, which connects to the rod or hose of the vacuum cleaner, and the connecting arm 230, which connects the rod. The device 240 is connected to the chassis 210. When viewed from the back, parallel to the floor, the chassis 210 has a generally U-shaped channel that is wide enough to accommodate the connecting arm 230 . In use, as best shown in Figure 6, this allows the connecting arm 230 to be located within the channel. The link arm can adopt this lowered position during forward travel or when the user is maneuvering the implement under an obstacle and wants to minimize implement height. Figure 6 shows the floor appliance from the back with the movable parts, ie the connecting arm 230 and the rod connector 240 shown with diagonal shading. The connecting arm 230 is shorter than the chassis so that when the connecting arm 230 is in its lowest position, it does not protrude beyond the back of the chassis.

The chassis 210 is equipped with wheels 221 which enable the chassis 210 to move on the floor surface. Stub shafts 222 are secured to side walls on the rear part of chassis 210 and extend outwardly from each side of the rear part. Wheels 221, 223 are rotatably fixed to each axle 222, so as to allow movement of the appliance on the floor surface. It should be understood that the two minor shafts 222 could be replaced by a single shaft extending across the width of the chassis, and the wheels could be replaced by rollers, slides on the lower surface of the appliance, or some other means of moving the floor appliance over the floor surface. The chassis is provided with means for limiting the vertical movement of the connecting arm 230 out of a predetermined point. In this embodiment, each side wall on the back of the chassis 210 is covered by a flange 246 that extends inwardly into the channel, and each side of the connecting arm 230 has an external stud 248 . The connecting arm 230 is free to move within a predetermined vertical range. As best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , at the highest extent of the vertical extent, the spike 248 on the connecting arm 230 strikes and is arrested by the flange 246 . It should be understood that the function of limiting the vertical movement of the connecting arm 230 may be implemented in other ways. For example, the side walls may have internal studs that sit in slots on the connecting arm 230 . Figure 10 shows how shock absorbing material 249, such as foam padding, is provided on the bottom of the chassis at a location below the connecting arm so that damage and noise are minimized when the connecting arm 230 is lowered against the chassis 210.

The rod connector 240 is located on the back of the appliance. The wand connector 240 is sized to fit snugly with the wand (16 in FIG. 1 ) of the vacuum cleaner. The rod connector 240 is formed as two tubes 243, 244, connecting them in a manner that allows rotation about the tube's longitudinal axis. The pole connector 240 has castors 245 mounted to its underside to minimize damage to the floor surface when the pole connector is moved into the fully lowered position. The lever release mechanism includes a manually operated button 241 connected to a reed 242 . Other connection schemes may be used, such as a simple interference fit between the respective sockets of the rod connector 240 and the rod. The rod connector 240 is connected to the chassis 210 by connection members 230 , 234 . The connection part includes a connection arm 230 and intermediate arms 234a, 234b. A first end of connecting arm 230 is pivotally connected to rod connector 240 by joint 231 . The other end of the connecting arm 230 is pivotally connected to the first intermediate arm 234a through a joint 232 . The first end of the intermediate arm 234a carries a spike that is constrained to slide within a slot formed in the inner wall of the first end of the second intermediate arm 234b. Intermediate arm 234a is also pivotally connected to chassis 210 . The other end of the intermediate arm 234b is pivotally connected to the upper surface of the chassis 210 . The hose connects the rod connector 240 directly to the base plate 250 as indicated by dashed line 235 . A first end of the hose 235 is hermetically sealed against the floor suction outlet and a second end of the hose 235 is hermetically sealed against the rod connector 240 . A pivotable joint 231 , 232 is provided on each end of the connecting arm 230 allowing the rod connector 240 and the rod or hose mounted to the rod connector 240 to move relative to the chassis 210 over a wide range of positions. Also, the chassis 210 remains in a stable position throughout the range of positions. Airflow between the base plate 250 and the rod connector 240 is delivered through a hose 235 separate from the connecting arm 230, allowing greater freedom of movement of the rod connected to the implement. To allow the base plate 250 to move between the operative position and the retracted position, intermediate arms 234a, 234b between the connecting arm 230 and the chassis 210 need to be arranged, as described below. In a simpler appliance, such as that shown above in FIG. Pivot freely.

The operability of the appliance is best illustrated by Figures 7, 9 and 10. In FIG. 7 , the connecting arm 230 and the rod connector 240 are close to the floor, and the connecting arm 230 is located in the U-shaped channel of the chassis 210 . The implement will adopt this configuration when the user pushes the implement forward or when the user wants to operate the implement under a low object. In contrast, Figures 9 and 10 show the connecting arm 230 and rod connector 240 in a raised position. Floor appliances typically adopt this position when the user drags the appliance backwards. The connecting arm 230 has reached its uppermost position and the peg 248 presses against the flange 246 . In FIG. 10 , the rod connector is pivoted about pivot point 231 into a nearly vertical position. In each of these configurations, the floorware will remain in contact with the surface.

The bottom plate 250 is pivotally mounted to the connecting arm 230 and the first intermediate arm 234a, which are the connecting parts facing the front of the chassis. Two flanges 280 extend upward from the upper surface of the bottom plate 250 . A peg 233 rotatably holds a hole in each flange 280 on each side of the intermediate arm 234a. The bottom plate 250 is free to rotate about the arm 234a within a limited angular range. The connection axis between the connecting arm 230 and the intermediate arm 234 coincides with the connection axis between the intermediate arm 234 and the base plate 250 so that the force applied by the user to the rod connector and thus to the connecting arm 230 is directly transmitted to the base plate 250 .

The bottom plate 250 of the appliance will now be described in more detail. The floor appliance 200 can be used in a carpet cleaning mode in which the base plate 250 engages and travels along the floor, or a 'hard floor' mode in which the soft skirt 270 travels along the floor surface, And the bottom plate is separated from the floor.

7 and 10 illustrate the configuration of the base plate 250 in a carpet cleaning mode. FIG. 7 shows the bottom plate 250 in section, and FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the bottom plate. Base plate 250 has a centrally mounted air inlet 256 . Two suction channels 255 extend laterally across the appliance from each side of the air inlet 256 . Each channel 255 terminates in a vent on the side of the floor. The underside of the base plate has two spaced, sharp edges 252, 253 which will be referred to as working edges. The front working edge 252 is defined by the line of intersection between the inner wall of the suction channel and the plane 254a on the bottom surface of the base plate. Similarly, the rear working edge 253 is defined by the line of intersection between the inner wall of the suction channel and the plane 254b on the bottom surface of the floor. As shown in Figure 7, the working edges 252, 253 are sharply defined to provide effective agitation when the floor appliance is used on a carpeted surface. The agitation effect is further enhanced by the pivotal connection between the bottom plate 250 and the connecting member 230 . A small radius bend has been found to provide effective agitation on the floor surface. The working edges 252, 253 extend over the entire width of the floor appliance. Cleaners 258, 259 are located on planes 254a, 254b and are spaced from the working edges 252, 253 so that the working edges can perform an agitating action on the carpet surface across their entire width. Each picker 258, 259 is of a conventional type comprising a strip of material to which are secured a plurality of fine fiber tufts. Each picker 258, 259 is secured to an arcuate support extending outwardly from the plane 254a, 254b on which it rests. The spacing between the pickers 258, 259 and adjacent working edges 252, 253 may vary from that shown in the Figures. Use of the cleaning machine results in increased force required by the user to push or pull the floor appliance on the floor surface. It is also possible to increase the width of the picker 258, 259 to the full width of the floor appliance, although this will result in an increase in the thrust required by the user.

Figures 11 and 12 illustrate the operation of the base plate 250 of the floor appliance 200 in use. First, FIG. 11 shows the base plate 250 as it is pushed forward on the floor surface. When pushed forward, base plate 250 rotates about pivot 247, causing front working edge 252 to contact the floor surface more closely than rear working edge 253. The pointed edge 252 provides effective agitation of the surface, breaking up piles on the surface and releasing dust with a flicking action. As the dust is released, the air flow in the suction channel sweeps the dust towards the suction inlet 256 along the suction channels 254 , 255 . Likewise, the front cleaner 258 is brought into contact with the floor surface. In the lowered position of the cleaner 258, it allows the passage of lint. The postcleaner 259 is kept close enough to the surface to effectively block the lint.

Figure 12 shows the floor tool 200 when pushed back on a floor surface. When the appliance is pushed rearwardly, base plate 250 rotates about pivot 247, causing rear working edge 253 to contact the floor surface more closely than front working edge 252. The sharp edge 253 serves the same purpose as the front edge 252 during the forward motion, that is, it agitates the surface, breaks up piles of material on the surface, and releases dust with a flicking action. The airflow in the suction channel sweeps the dust towards the suction inlet 256 along the suction channels 254 , 255 . The rear cleaner 259 is brought into contact with the floor surface and allows the lint to pass through. When the front cleaner 258 is raised higher than during the forward motion, it remains close enough to the surface to block the lint passage. It will be appreciated that once the floor appliance has passed through the lint, the lint is trapped between the pickers and captured from the surface.

Figures 13 and 14 illustrate the results of driving the floor appliance from a position close to the floor. FIG. 13 shows a conventional floor appliance with a chassis 410 , wheels 420 and a chassis 450 . At point A the user applies a push/pull force Fv to the implement. Fs represents the suction force exerted on the floor surface by the air sucked into the soleplate. During the return stroke, the force (moment) about point C is:

M _c ＝l ₁ .F _s -l ₂ .F _v sinθ

Therefore, to keep the baseplate on the floor surface:

l ₁ .F _s ≥l ₂ .F _v sinθ

Point C represents the point about which the floor appliance will be lifted from the floor surface when a force is applied in the vertical direction during the return stroke.

In contrast, FIG. 14 shows a floor appliance with a chassis 410, wheels 420 and chassis 450 where the user at point E applies a push/pull force Fv to the appliance in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As mentioned above, Fs represents the suction force exerted on the floor surface by the air sucked into the soleplate. To keep the baseplate on the floor surface during the return stroke:

F _s ≥ F _v sinθ

This is clearly a simpler requirement than in Figure 13. By placing the outlet connector above the base plate, the leverage of the outlet connector is greatly reduced. Figure 14 shows an ideal arrangement where point B, where push/pull is applied to the chassis, is directly above the base plate. As the point where the push/pull force is applied to the chassis moves away from the base plate, i.e. towards the right in Figure 14, the floor appliance 'cracks' away from the floor surface during the return stroke as there is now leverage on the appliance. Increased risk. While pivotal mounting of the base plate to the chassis is preferred, the base plate may be fixed relative to the base plate 410, benefiting from a reduced risk of 'snaking' when applying push/pull forces in the manner illustrated here.

As mentioned above, in the hard floor cleaning mode, the soleplate 250 is separated from the floor surface. In the embodiment shown in Figures 8, 9 and 15, this mode is achieved by retracting the base plate 250 within the chassis so that only the skirt 270 rests on the floor surface. The skirt is formed as a dense curtain of fibers, such as nylon fibers, which are secured to the bottom panel 250 by, for example, pleating. The bottom plate 250 can be retracted into the position shown in FIG. 9 , while the bottom surface of the bottom plate is inclined with respect to the plane of the suction opening. The skirt 270 forms a continuous curtain around the suction opening and serves to maintain a low pressure zone adjacent the floor surface. Shock absorbers 265 on the front edge of the chassis 210 define suction channels 260 directed downwards towards the floor surface and extending across the entire width of the appliance. The bumper 265 is sufficiently spaced above the lowest level of the skirt (see C of FIG. 15 ) so that large debris 269 can pass under the bumper where it would be under the suction channel 260 . The suction channel 260 communicates with the suction chamber in the chassis 210 through a conduit 262 into the main suction space in the chassis 210 . The bottom plate 250 is inclined in one direction, so that the airflow in the channel 260 can easily flow around the bottom surface of the bottom plate 250 , and then flow to the suction port 256 along the air suction channels 254 , 255 . Thus, the airflow in channel 260 merges with the airflow drawn under skirt 270 . Figure 15 shows the passage of air and debris when using the floor appliance in hard floor cleaning mode.

Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view through a floor appliance showing an approximation of the pressures existing within the appliance, with denser shading indicating areas of lower pressure. Figures 17A and 17B illustrate the effect of using a floor appliance on a surface. These figures represent a plan view of the floor appliance moving in the X direction across the floor surface. The low pressure area remains in the area of the appliance skirt adjacent to the floor surface. Therefore, any dust located in this area will be brought to the suction port 256 . A steady stream of air enters the appliance through the suction port 260 . This airflow helps to maintain good separation efficiency in vacuum cleaner separation systems (11 in Figure 1) and is especially important for cyclonic separation systems, such as appliances using a bank of side-by-side cyclones. The airflow through the channel 260 and the spacing of the channel 260 from the floor surface helps to clear any large debris from the floor surface. Otherwise, the skirt 270 will push the debris along the floor. The continuous skirt 270 maintains a low pressure zone within the appliance. This also helps to provide good absorption of cracks 300 in the floor surface. As shown in Figure 17B, when the appliance is moved over the slit, the low pressure zone inside the appliance communicates via the slit 300 to the ambient pressure zone outside the appliance. Thus, the air flows from outside the appliance through the slit 300 to the low pressure area inside the appliance, taking along with the air flow from the slit 300 any dirt and debris therein.

Figures 18-20 show a further improvement of the floor appliance in which the amount of air entering the appliance can be manually controlled. Figure 18 shows a modification 250' of the floor appliance base 250 described above. As mentioned above, each side of the main appliance suction channel 255 has air intake holes 290 through which air can enter the suction channel 255 during the carpet cleaning mode, in use. In this modified chassis, the valve 295 is mounted on the side of the chassis. The valve can be moved between an open position shown in FIG. 19 where a maximum amount of air can enter the suction passage 255, and a closed position shown in FIG. 20 where a lesser amount of air can enter the suction channel 255. Channel 255. The valve can be manually slid in direction 299 between two positions. A pair of recesses 296 on the upper surface of the base plate cooperate with small protrusions (not shown) on the bottom surface of the valve so that the valve is positively held in one of two positions. A further improvement of the base plate 250' compared to the base plate 250 is that an additional air inlet 292 is located on the upper surface of the base plate. Similar air intakes 292 are located on each side of the floor. As shown in Figures 19 and 20, the valve closes off the air inlet 292 in the closed position.

In use, the user can set the valves 295 on each side of the bottom plate to the same position (eg, both valves open) or different positions (i.e., one valve open, one valve closed) in order to choose the amount of air intake, thereby choosing the amount of air they feel Comfortable thrust. The amount of push will vary depending on the floor covering and different users will prefer different amounts of push.

In a further refinement, the valves may be arranged such that they provide a wider setting range. This modification can be achieved with the inlet 290 and the valve, which varies in height along direction 299, which can be in more positions (eg 3 different positions). As shown herein, the valve may be applied to a cleaning head of a floor appliance or an upright vacuum cleaner. In the closed position, the valve can be arranged to allow little intake (as shown in Figure 20) or no intake at all.

Claims (15)

1. a floor tool that uses in the vacuum cleaning floor surface comprises

The base plate that engages with floor surface,

The base plate supporting body, this base plate supporting body has the device that this supporting body is advanced along floor surface,

Be connected to the escape pipe of vacuum cleaner bar and escape pipe be connected to the linking arm of supporting body,

First end of linking arm is pivotally connected to escape pipe around first pivot,

And second end of linking arm is pivotally connected to supporting body around second pivot,

First pivot and second pivot are roughly parallel to each other, and

Second end of linking arm can pivot, thus make linking arm first end with respect to the device that supporting body is advanced along floor surface dip and raised position between move.

2. floor tool according to claim 1, wherein linking arm is pivotally connected to supporting body around the axle that essence is positioned on the base plate.

3. floor tool according to claim 1 and 2, wherein base plate pivotally is installed to supporting body.

4. floor tool according to claim 3, wherein base plate pivotally is installed to supporting body in the position that is positioned on the base plate air intake passage.

5. floor tool according to claim 3, wherein linking arm pivotally is installed to supporting body in essence and base plate pivot consistent location.

6. according to the floor tool of claim 1, wherein linking arm comprises rigid element, and it provides the mechanical connection between tracheae and the supporting body, and wherein floor tool also comprises flexible pipe, is used for carrying between base plate gas outlet and escape pipe fluid stream.

7. floor tool according to claim 1 is wherein arranged linking arm so that carry fluid stream between base plate gas outlet and escape pipe.

8. according to the floor tool of claim 1, further comprise the shirt rim, be used for during hard place plate cleaning, advancing that wherein base plate can move between operating position and storage location along floor surface, base plate is lower than the shirt rim in the operating position, and is higher than the shirt rim at the storage location base plate.

9. according to the floor tool of claim 1, the device that supporting body is advanced along floor surface comprises a wheel or roller at least.

10. according to the floor tool of claim 1, further comprise valve, be used to allow that air flows into floor tool from atmosphere, wherein valve can be by manual adjustments so that the cleaning head user selects air inflow.

11. according to the floor tool of claim 1, wherein supporting body has the passage that holds linking arm.

12. floor tool according to claim 11 is wherein formulated the linking arm size, when being positioned at the supporting body next door with convenient linking arm, and the pivotally connected passage that is positioned on the supporting body between linking arm first end and the escape pipe.

13. according to claim 11 or 12 described floor tools, the device that supporting body is advanced along floor surface comprises at least one wheel or the roller that is installed on each side of passage.

14. according to the floor tool of claim 1, further comprise brake apparatus, be used to limit linking arm and on away from the direction of supporting body, move.

15. floor tool according to claim 14, wherein supporting body has passage and the brake apparatus that holds linking arm, and this brake apparatus acts between linking arm and at least one the passage side.

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